Scots residents live in fear of eviction

Campaigners for care home residents in Scotland have warned that
residents are too afraid to make complaints because of fears they
will be evicted.

Giving evidence to the Scottish parliament’s health committee, Andy
Sim, policy officer at Age Concern Scotland, said: “Care home
residents are still afraid to make complaints because they do not
have security of tenure. They can make a complaint and it can be
upheld, but the next week they can be evicted.”

The committee is examining an amendment to the Smoking, Health and
Social Care Bill (Scotland), which would allow the Scottish Care
Commission to reduce the number of routine inspections it carries
out on care homes.

Will Mallinson, co-ordinator of the Edinburgh Advocacy and
Representation Service, said it was dealing with three evictions
and one “end of the line” case – defined as an irreversible
relationship breakdown – at the moment.

“Home owners think it is easier to do this [evict] than deal with
behavioural issues,” he said.

Mallinson said he would like to see an explicit statement in the
act that inspections of homes would not be reduced.

Jacquie Roberts, head of the Scottish Care Commission, said the
amendment would allow it to focus resources on dealing with
complaints and speaking more to residents.